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Poker Face (song)

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"Poker Face" is a song written by Lady Gaga, and producer RedOne in January 2008 from her album, The Fame. It serves as the second single from the album, and was released in late 2008 for certain markets, and in early 2009 for the rest of the world. The song is an up-tempo dance song, following in the footsteps of her previous single, "Just Dance", but has a darker musical tone. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it Lady Gaga's second number one hit, and also made two consecutives number ones in a row after "Just Dance". "Poker Face" became best-selling single by Lady Gaga selling over 20.100.000 pure copies worldwide (Source: Chartmasters). This is third best-selling single of all time by a female artist.

Writing and inspiration

Lady Gaga wanted to write a song her boyfriend would like, forming the main idea behind the song being about bisexuality and was a tribute by Gaga to her rock 'n' roll boyfriends. Lyrically "Poker Face" is about sex and gambling. Gaga was inspired by her days as a New York City go-go dancer, and is one of her favorite songs of the album. The term, "Poker Face", represents the tricks she used to fool man, and sometimes woman that she was into them, so they would throw money at her. There is also an ambiguous part with "He's got me like nobody" and "She's got me like nobody" in the chorus, which caused some undertone of confusion about love and sex. According to BBC, the "Mum-mum-mum-mah" hook used in the song is copied from Boney M's 1977 (jobs) hit, "Ma Baker". When RLT Boulevard asked Gaga about the hook, she replied: "I love Boney M so perhaps subconsciously it came out in the song". During Rango Tanga, Lady Gaga admitted that Kiss FM was the only radio station to correctly censor the song during the chorus when she replaces "poker face" with "fuck her face". Although not in the official lyrics, the switch can be heard every second repetition of the phrase during the chorus. Some TV channels have also censored it.

Composition

"Poker Face" is an up-tempo dance-pop song, and follows the footsteps of the previous single "Just Dance". Whereas "Just Dance" was predominately electropop, "Poker Face" carries a dark sound with clear vocals on the chorus and a pop hook while combining the synths from "Just Dance" and the more dance-oriented beat of the next single "LoveGame". According to Kerri Mason of Billboard, the composition "carr[ies] the pleather-and-sequins vibe of the downtown New York scene out of the underground and onto the FM dial without losing its smut and sass." According to the sheet music published in Musicnotes.com by Sony/ATV Music Publishing, the song is set in the time signature of common time, with a moderate tempo of 120 beats per minute. It is written in the key of G-sharp minor with Gaga's vocal range spanning from the low-note of F♯3 to the high-note of B4. It begins with a medium tempo followed by electronic chord arrangement and the "Mum-mum-mum-mah" hook. The chords follow in this order, G♯m–E–F♯–G♯m–E–F♯. This is followed by the sound of dance music, produced by a powerful beat from the instruments and a stuttering hook following the chorus.

Reference in popular culture

  • In the "Whale Whores" episode of South Park, Eric Cartman sang this song while playing Rockband.
  • The acoustic version of the song was covered by the Fox musical comedy television series, Glee, by Idina Menzel and Lea Michele, on the episode "Theatricality".
  • Christopher Walken did an acapella version of the song on Saturday Night Live.
  • The song was used during the promotions for the movie, Easy A.
  • Nick Knight featured a remixed version of the song for a SHOWstudio short film, Tonight Matthew….
  • The song can be heard playing in the Simpsons Season Finale commercial promo for "Lisa Goes Gaga".
  • The song was used in Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief when the main characters are drugged in a casino.
  • "Weird Al" Yankovic parodied the song in his song, "Polka Face". This rendition was registered onto Gaga's BMI on November 5, 2013.

Commercial release

"Poker Face" was released as the second single from The Fame. The song was critically acclaimed and achieved worldwide popularity topping the charts in 30+ countries, making it even more successful than her debut single, "Just Dance". The song recieved abnormal success selling over 20.100.000 pure copies worldwide making it third best-selling single of all time by a female artist. In addition, it has reached the top ten in many other countries including her native U.S.A., where it has peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, thereby making it Lady Gaga's second U.S. top three hit. Along with her former chart topper in the seventh position the same week Poker Face entered the top ten, Gaga accomplished the rare feat of placing her first two single releases simultaneously in the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100. It has also topped the US dance charts.

Physical release

Australia (1789813)

AU PokerFace Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: October 25, 2008
Barcode: 602517898134
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

AUPK

France (1796466)

FR PokerFace Label: Labels
Format: Cardboard
Released: January 26, 2009
Barcode: 602517964662
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

FRPK

Germany (UNI700356)

GE PK Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: February 20, 2009
Barcode: 0602527003566
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

GEPK

Poker Face (LTD. Premium Single) (UNI700355)

GE PK Label: Labels
Format: Jewel case
Released: February 20, 2009
Barcode: 602527003559
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

GEPK2

Note: This premium single has a small poster included.

Poker Face (Enhanced CD) (00602517964990)

GE PK Label: Labels
Format: Jewel case
Released: February 24, 2009
Barcode: 602517964990
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

GEPK3

United Kingdom (2703459)

UK PK Label: Labels
Format: Slimline jewel case
Released: April 13, 2009
Barcode: 602527034591
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

UKPK

United States — The Remixes (B0012715-22)

USA PokerFace Remixes Label: Labels
Format: Jewel case
Released: March 10, 2009
Barcode: 602517965393
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

USPKR

United Kingdom (2703458)

UK VPK Label: Labels
Format: 7" vinyl in a transparent plastic
Released: April 13, 2009
Barcode: 602527034584
Photography: Meeno
Design: Stewart Armstrong    

UKVPK

Side A (45RPM)
Side B (33RPM)

United States — The Remixes (B0012716-11)

USA PokerFace Remixes Label: Labels
Format: 12" vinyl in a cardboard sleeve
Released: March 10, 2009
Barcode: 602517965379
Photography: Meeno
Design: Irene Silva    

USPKR2

Side A (45RPM)
Side B (33RPM)

Remixes

  • Dave Audé Dub — 7:23
  • Dave Audé Radio Edit — 3:50
  • Dave Audé Remix — 8:13
  • Glam As You Club Mix — 6:41
  • Glam As You Radio Mix — 3:49
  • Jody den Broeder Dub — 8:02
  • Jody den Broeder Radio Edit — 4:21
  • Jody den Broeder Remix — 8:05
  • LLG vs. GLG Radio Mix — 4:01
  • Space Cowboy Remix — 4:54
  • Tommy Sparks & The Fury Remix — 3:59

Performances

Calendar Dates Show Television Channel Country
2009
Jan 18 MTV Spanking New Sessions MTV United Kingdom
Jan 28 Freshly Squeezed Channel 4
Feb 4 The Album Chart Show
Feb 20 The Dome 49 RTL II Germany
Feb 27 T4 Sunday Channel 4 United Kingdom
Mar 29 Star Académie TVA Ca
Apr 1 American Idol FOX Us
Apr 16 Friday Night with Jonathan Ross BBC One United Kingdom
Apr 18 Schlag den Raab ProSieben Germany
Apr 19 Quelli che il calcio RaiDue Italy
Apr 20 The Paul O'Grady Show Channel 4 United Kingdom
Apr 20 Live Lounge with Jo Whiley BBC Radio 1
Apr 22 Mooi! Weer De Leeuw VARA Netherlands
Apr 23 Grand Journal Canal + France
Apr 24 Primavera POP Spain
May 11 The Ellen DeGeneres Show NBC Us
May 25 Kia Soul Live at The Chapel TBA Australia
Jun 21 MuchMusic Video Awards Much Music Ca
Jun 26 Glastonbury Festival BBC United Kingdom
Jul 8 Isle of MTV Malta MTV Malta
Jul 11 T In The Park BBC Scotland
Jul 12 Oxegen Festival MTV Ireland
Jul 13 Orange Rockcorps 4Music United Kingdom
Jul 20 Alhambra France
Aug 4 Sukkiri!! TV Tokyo Japan
Aug 8 Summer Sonic
Aug 23 V Festival 4Music United Kingdom
Sep 10 Taratata France 2 France
Sep 13 MTV Video Music Awards MTV Us
Oct 3 Saturday Night Live NBC
2010
Jan 31 52nd Grammy Awards CBS Us
2011
May 15 BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend BBC United Kingdom
Oct 30 F1 Rocks After Party India
2016
Oct 26 The Late Late Show with James Corden CBS Us
2017
Feb 5 Super Bowl LI halftime show FOX Us

Calendar Dates Www page Location Country

Calendar Dates Microphone Station Country

Calendar Dates Microphone-icon Location Building City Country

Tour Dates Performances

Lyrics

Album version

Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah
Mum mum mum mah

I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas plays, (Ay)
Fold em' let em' hit me, raise it, baby stay with me
(I love it)
LoveGame intuition play the cards with spades to start,
And after he's been hooked,
I'll play the one that's on his heart

Oh, woah, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, woah, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)

I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be (Ay)
A little gambling is fun when you're with me
(I love it)
Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love,
if its not rough it isn't fun (fun)

Oh, woah, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, woah, oh, oh, oh-oh-e-oh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)

(Mum mum mum mah)
(Mum mum mum mah)

I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
Cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lying
I'm just stunnin'
With my love-glue-gunning (Mah)

Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand 'cause I'm marvelous

Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)

Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)

Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)
Can't read my, can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
(She got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(She got me like nobody)

P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)

P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)
P-p-p-poker face, f-f-fuck her face
(Mum mum mum mah)

Acoustic version

I wanna hold em' like they do in Texas plays
Fold em' let em' hit me raise it baby stay with me
LoveGame, intuition.
Play the cards with spades to start,
And after he's been hooked,
I'll play the one that's on his heart

Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
He's got me like nobody
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
She's got me like nobody

P-P-P-Poker face, P-P-Poker face
P-P-P-Poker face, P-P-Poker face

I wanna roll with him a hard pair we will be
A little gamblin' is fun when you're with me
Russian roulette is not the same without a gun
And baby when it's love,
if it's not rough it isn't fun

Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got
(and I) Want you to know
Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhh, ohh-oh-e-ohh-oh-oh
I'll get him hot, show him what I've got

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
He's got me like nobody
Can't read my
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face
She's got me like nobody

P-P-P-Poker face, P-P-Poker face
P-P-P-Poker Face, P-P-Poker face

I won't tell you that I love you
Kiss or hug you
'cause I'm bluffin' with my muffin
I'm not lyin' I'm just stunnin' with my love-glue-gunnin'
Just like a chick in the casino
Take your bank before I pay you out
I promise this, promise this
Check this hand 'cause I'm marvelous

I'm marvelous
I'm marvelous
I'm marvelous
So marvelous

Can't read my,
Can't read my
No he can't read my poker face

Music video

Poker_Face
Premiere date October 29, 2008
Director(s) Ray Kay
Fashion director
Choreographer Laurieann Gibson at Haus of Gaga
Director of photography Ketil Dietrichson

The music video for "Poker Face" premiered on NewNowNext PopLab, on October 29, 2008. It later premiered on UK music channels on February 17, 2009. The music video is directed by Ray Kay, and aided by Anthony Mandler. The video was filmed at the luxury villa on "Bwin PokerIsland". Bwin also provided the poker equipment, and obtained product placements in return. It is the only music video from The Fame to be uploaded on Lady Gaga's VEVO account in 4:3 aspect ratio, as the rest of the music videos from the era were widescreen (16:9) (except for "Beautiful, Dirty, Rich", which was cropped on her VEVO account).

Development

Originally, Kay had intended to shoot the "Poker Face" video on a beach in Ibiza, with Gaga emerging from the surf "sort of like Halle Berry in 'Die Another Day'. " At the last minute, that plan was scrapped, which left the director scrambling to find a suitable location. They finally found a Malibu mansion (bwin PokerIsland), and, over the course of one very long day, the video was shot on 3 October, 2008. Gaga explained in the nineteenth episode of her "Transmision Gagavision" series, the main idea behind the music video of "Poker Face". She said that "I knew I wanted it to be sexy, so I thought no pants, because that's sexy, [...] and I knew I wanted it to be futuristic, so I thought shoulder pads, because that's my thing."

Images

Photography by Meeno Peluce

Date October 3, 2008
Location Los Angeles, CA Us
Camera EOS-1Ds Mark III by Canon
Make up Sharon "Mama Make-up" Gault
Hair stylist Patricia Morales
Black Crystal Catsuit 01

Custom catsuit and mask by Haus of Gaga, gloves by Ines, and boots by Givenchy.

Dress by Antonio Berardi.

Leggings by Brian Lichtenberg and boots by Givenchy.

Custom suit and iPod LCD glasses by Haus of Gaga.

Album and Single artworks

Synopsis and fashion credits

Scene 1

The music video takes place by a pool, located on an ocean side villa. The video begins with Lady Gaga emerging out of the pool with a shiny masquerade and black leotard. She throws the mask aside and the song begins with a facial shot of Gaga singing the first verse. Gaga wears a metallic sticker on her left cheek in this shot. The video also features two harlequin great danes and several white mannequins on her swimming pool deck who are supposedly playing her servants.

Lady Gaga wears a custom catsuit by Muto-Little Costumes, a mirrored mask and crystal glasses by Haus of Gaga, boots by Givenchy, and gloves by Ines. In the next scene Gaga wears boots by Betsey Johnson.

Scene 2

Gaga is seen dancing, posing and voguing for the camera. Head shot can bee seen all through the music video.

Lady Gaga wears a dress by Antonio Berardi, and a ring by Swarovski.

Scene 3

Gaga attends a wild party where every man and woman tries their luck on a strip poker game. The party gets wilder when all the party's guests strip down to their underwear, dance around, and share kisses with each other.

Lady Gaga wears false eyelashes by Viktor & Rolf for Shu Uemura, an acrylic shoulder piece by Mike Feeney, lace angular patchwork leggings by Brian Lichtenberg, and boots by Givenchy.

Scene 4

Gaga's with a man on a lounge sofa where they are about to have sex.

Lady Gaga wears a necklace by Alex & Chloe.

Scene 5

Gaga dancing poolside with her dancers in a futuristic turquoise leotard with shoulder pads. The video also shows Gaga in her trademark Pop Culture sunglasses while sitting beside the pool. The video ends with the head shot of Gaga singing the Mum-mum-mum-ma hook.

Lady Gaga wears a custom suit by Muto-Little Costumes, boots by Givenchy, and IPod LCD Glasses by Haus of Gaga.

Director's cuts

The main version can be found on Lady Gaga's Vevo and iTunes. In the "TV Edit" version of the video, the words "Russian", "gun", and "muffin", are censored out by the "mum-mum-mum-ma" hook, and depending on the channel, "fuck her face" is changed to "poker face". There are seven director cuts of the video, all coming from Ray Kay's website. The "1st Rough Cut" and the second cut feature the words "FX: Tilt Up To Stars" in the end. The "1st Rough Cut" is the same length as the album version of the song, while other cuts are as long as the main video, lacking a chorus and outro. All cuts are similar to the final cut of the video, with the same concept and general theme, however, there are a few scenes that were added, while some were taken out. The images in the LCD-glasses in the released version of the video are photoshopped. In all seven cuts these images were exactly the same, but different to the final version.

Behind the Scenes and Making of

Credits

Song

Personnel

  • All instruments played and programmed — RedOne
  • Recorded — RedOne at Record Plant (Hollywood, California, Us)

Publishing

  • Sony/ATV Songs LLC / House of Gaga Publishing LLC (BMI)
  • Sony/ATV Songs LLC / Songs of RedOne LLC (BMI)

Music video

References

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